Government panel to oversee implementation of education schemes

Mumbai: Maharashtra government has decided to set up a panel to ensure that the Centre's schemes for education are implemented at district level and to keep a track of children's enrollment and monitor their performance.

"There are various schemes of the Central government like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Education for All), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (National Mission for Secondary Education), Shaley Poshan Ahar (mid-day meal scheme) and Saakshar Bharat (educational options for those adults, who have lost the opportunity and crossed the age of formal education). According to the Centre's rules, changes are made in these schemes periodically," a government resolution issued recently said.

There are various committees constituted to monitor the implementation of these schemes at district level, but there is no proper co-ordination between them, an education department official said.

"In order to monitor the effective implementation of these schemes at district level and ensure co-ordination of different committees, the government has decided to constitute a panel that will oversee the implementation of all education schemes," the official said.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs, MLAs and MLCs will be the main members of the committee, he said.

"Officials from the zilla parishad, education committee of the municipal corporation and primary and secondary education officers will also be on the panel," the official said.

The senior most Lok Sabha member (as part of the panel) will be the Chairman of the committee, while its Deputy Chairman will be elected by the panel members, he said.

"Implementation of various schemes, along with children's enrolment and their performance, and ensuring that they get basic facilities in schools will be the functions of the committee," the official said, adding that this will be achieved by roping in other departments like water conservation, social justice, minorities and labour.